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In observations of many (Parasitology Center, Inc. (PCI) patients over the years, we noted that many people experienced gastrointestinal symptoms but no parasites were detected from fecal samples provided. These cases were explained as possibly relating to other pathogenic organisms, ex., pathogenic bacteria, that can cause symptoms comparable to those produced by typical parasites.

In our cross-sectional study of 5,792 fecal specimens from 2,896 patients in 48 states and the District of Columbia, 32% were found positive for protozoan and helminth parasites during the year 2000. This prevalence rate was consistent in a number of subsequent PCI studies. The most common parasites, in order of prevalence, were Blastocystis hominis, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Entamoeba spp.

A sizable proportion of patients without infections, nevertheless, exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms, including but not limited to, diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramps, similar to those observed in patients infected with parasites. Those patients were unaccounted for in terms of causation. We later verified the original assumption of involvement of other infections, documented the identity of bacterial agents involved in the gastrointestinal symptomology in patients proven to have had no intestinal parasites, and provided the results of sensitivity and resistance tests for treatment purposes.

The gastrointestinal symptoms in those parasite free patients can now be explained by the pathogenic bacteria documented for each case, including but not limited to, E. coli, Klebsiella spp. Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp. Serratia spp., Citrobacter spp., and H. pylori, among others. Other studies show that IBS associated with abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea is caused by pathogenic intestinal bacteria. Associated skin manifestations may show infections with various species of Staphylococcus, among other cutaneous bacterial infections.

Dr Amins latest article on bacteriology and bacterial pathogens, published in the Journal of Bacteriology and Parasitology can be read here.

There is ample literature describing the reported symptoms of delusional parasitosis (related to Morgellons) cases that characterise patients as psychiatric patients. Judging by our experience with over 1000 delusionary patients that we have seen at the Parasitology Center, Inc. (PCI) in Arizona over the last few years, however, the above reported delusionary cases appear to be cases of Neuro-cutaneous Syndrome (NCS).

NCS is a toxicity disorder related to Morgellons disease, caused mostly by intimate exposure to incompatible chemicals, especially dental materials. Other toxic exposures are occasionally involved. Proponents of the delusional parasitosis convention do not appear to have stopped to ask the following question: what if the main symptoms of crawling and pin-pricking declared by delusional patients are real; just misinterpreted as parasite movement. We have asked that question, and during 15 years of research, we have come up with an alternative explanation that works.

We have concluded that the symptoms of crawling and pin-pricking confused with delusionary parasitosis are caused by toxicity from exposure to chemicals incompatible with the host immune system, for example, dental materials that alter the propagation of normal nerve impulses. We also conclude that external parasites/organisms including springtails (Collembola), other arthropods, bacteria, and fungi represent only opportunistic infections of skin sites compromised by the toxicity disorder involving the elimination of toxins through the skin.

We have described a new pathological disorder, Neuro-cutaneous Syndrome (NCS) to which justified delusional parasitosis and Morgellons disease cases could be assigned. We have developed a protocol for the resolution of the symptoms of NCS cases. When followed to the letter, all symptoms of NCS, conventionally and conveniently called delusional parasitosis, are invariably and irreversibly resolved.

Dr Amins most recent article on NCS, published in Clinical Microbiology & Case Reports can be read here.

My personal perspectives about parasitology are not much different to my perspectives on jogging, swimming, painting, playing music and writing. It is always a journey or hobby that brings meditative inner-consciousness together with correct action.

Recognising the temporal and spatial relationships between parasitic infections and physical and psychological trauma is parasitology viewed through a gestaltic perspective. Those relationships may, in many cases, be operative at the sub-clinical level since early childhood years. Progressive or sudden overt disease may occur later on in life. The reactivation of infection is usually associated with depressed immune status. Age, hormonal changes and physical or psychological stresses are important contributors to immune system suppression. Compromised immunity in adults renders the body wide open for many opportunistic infections that may become established in the adult stage and not only during earlier years of life.

Inter-relationships of this nature have not been the usual preoccupation of the traditional scientific or academic community. Rare exceptions, however, exist. The impact of major parasitic diseases on the immune system, as well as the subsequent effects of the latter on other parasitic infections, have been recently considered by Kirszenbaum (Parasitic Infections And The Immune System). Short term studies on the direct impact of acute parasitic infections on human or animal health are, however, more frequently reported in the literature. In addition, the inter-relationship between host immune system and concurrent parasitic infections needs to be more seriously considered. For instance, suppressed cell mediated immunity in patients with invasive amebiasis makes it possible for the opportunistic Candida albicans to develop frequently in those patients.

My particular interest in "holistic parasitology is one facet of my overall philosophy on relationships which has its roots in Zen Buddhism. We have come of late to recognise that it is not the nature of the beast that matters but rather how that beast interacts with other beasts. Observe for instance the working relationships in quantum mechanics.

Einstein recognized the nature of atomic behavior and relationships as did Heisenberg in his initial work on the Principle of Uncertainty, (see Fritj or Capra) for interesting perspectives on these concepts. Capra (The Tao of Physics) also coined this paradigm shift in physics in his eloquent exposition of the relationship between physics and Taoism. Paradigm shifts have also been recently recognised in such fields as psychiatry, diplomacy and health care.

Few in the clinical field recognise that a malfunctioning organ does not exist in a void but also interacts with the total physical, mental, emotional and intuitive entities of the patient. While parasites can adversely impact their host's immunity, a compromised immune system often issues an open invitation for increased parasitic invasion and invasiveness. In my practice in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, those relationships, for example, between chronic fatigue and parasitic infection, were clearly evident. In immune compromised patients, certain intestinal parasites, for example, Blastocystis hominis, were observed to be associated with marked gastro-enteric symptoms. Immune competent patients may not experience such pathologies.

Health is an expression of balance between one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual entities; see Ouspenskys In Search of the Miraculous. When that balance is disturbed by pressures, for example in the case of acute or chronic parasitic infections and/or non-physical factors, it needs to be restored. Homeopathic physicians understand these relationships. They also respect parasites. I now realise why I developed such an appreciation for this community of practitioners. To me, it is the 21st century expression of what I always related to intuitively, in other words, the native doctor of the tribal culture in Central Africa that understood and dealt with the body and soul of his patient as one. I have been trained to research and publish in medically credible scientific journals with readerships not extending beyond the specialised professionals. One of the major features of the new paradigm shift in the sciences is the enlargement of the scope of coverage and treatment to address the non-specialised professional and the public. See for example recent popular works by Steven Hawking, for example, A Brief History of Time.

Certain relationships in the parasitological field need to be more fully explored, e.g. those between parasitic infections and host physical-mental-emotional states as well as environmental variables. The latter include direct or indirect animate (human, wildlife, or domestic animals) and inanimate sources. Here, one should stress again the fact that behavior of the same parasite species will not be the same depending on host innate and external variables.